Method and Device For Emptying Containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for emptying transport containers that are transported by transport devices. At least one gripper device is arranged over a support surface having at least one opening. A control controls the gripper device and occasions the gripper to clamp the transport container at its side walls that are oriented in parallel to the direction of transport and to lift it off the support surface. The height of the lifting movement of the gripper device allows the container to swing to a vertical position. The gripper device is then lowered for placing the container upside down onto the support surface over the opening in an emptying position.

1 . A method for emptying a transport container ( 1 ) conveyed using transport units, which is moved to a defined starting position on a support surface ( 3 ), engaged using a gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ) on its outer walls, and lifted by vertically moving the gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ), comprising the following method steps:
 engaging the transport container ( 1 ) by clamping it on its outer walls parallel to the transport direction (T) essentially punctually, so that free pivoting of the transport container ( 1 ) is permitted   lifting the transport container ( 1 ) by vertically moving the gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ) by a distance which allows the transport container ( 1 ) to swing through beyond a vertical (V 1 ) orientation   lowering the transport container ( 1 ) in its state as it has swung through and laying it on a support surface ( 3 ) having an opening ( 2 )   
     and preferably
 engaging the transport container again by clamping it on its outer walls parallel to the transport direction (T) essentially punctually again using a gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ), so that free pivoting of the transport container ( 1 ) is permitted 
 lifting the transport container ( 1 ) by vertically moving the gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ) by a distance which allows the transport container ( 1 ) to swing through beyond a vertical (V 2 ) orientation 
 lowering the transport container ( 1 ) in its state as it has swung through and laying it partially on the transport unit ( 7 ). 
 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport container ( 1 ) is clamped on the front half of the transport container ( 1 ), viewed in the transport direction (T). 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the provision of the transport container ( 1 ) in the starting position is monitored using a sensor. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the removal of the emptied transport container ( 1 ) is monitored using a sensor. 
   
   
       5 . A device for emptying transport containers ( 1 ) transported using transport units, comprising a vertically movable gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ) for lifting and emptying the transport container ( 1 ), characterized in that a support surface ( 3 ) having at least one opening ( 2 ) is provided below the gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ) and the gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ) has clamping jaws for clamping the transport container ( 1 ) on its side walls ( 5 ) parallel to the transport direction (T), the vertical lift path of the gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ) at least corresponding to a length which allows the transport container ( 1 ) to swing through beyond its vertical position (V 1 ) and a controller being provided which, after the transport container ( 1 ) has swung through once, lowers the gripping device ( 4   a ,  4   b ) to the support surface ( 3 ) over the opening ( 2 ) to prevent the transport container ( 1 ) from swinging back into its inertial position. 
   
   
       6 . The device for emptying transport containers according to  claim 5 , wherein two different gripping devices ( 4   a ,  4   b ) are provided, and the lifting from the starting position and the lifting from the emptying position are each performed by one of these gripping devices ( 4   a ,  4   b ). 
   
   
       7 . The device for emptying transport containers according to  claim 5 , wherein a stop is provided, against which the container ( 1 ) is positioned before first being lifted. 
   
   
       8 . The device for emptying transport containers according to  claim 5 , wherein a light barrier used for establishing the position of the container ( 1 ) entering the device is situated in front of the first gripping device ( 4   a ), viewed in the transport direction (T) of the container ( 1 ). 
   
   
       9 . The device for emptying transport containers according to  claim 5 , wherein a light barrier used for establishing the position of the container ( 1 ) leaving the device is situated after the second gripping device ( 4   b ), viewed in the transport direction (T) of the container ( 1 ) 
   
   
       10 . The device for emptying transport containers according to  claim 5 , wherein the gripping devices ( 4   a ,  4   b ) are rubber blocks ( 4   a ,  4   b ) which may be pressed laterally against the container walls. 
   
   
       11 . The device for emptying transport containers according to  claim 5 , wherein the width of the support surface ( 3 ) is tailored to the container width and the boundary areas running in the transport direction (T) are provided with L-shaped edges ( 6 ) to form a guide for the containers ( 1 ).